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Introduction

Seychelles National Institute of Education

Presnently, I, Alex Souffe is the director of the Institute. It is the sole teacher training institution in the country. Postal Address: Mont Fleuri, Mahe. Seychelles. www.nie.eduhq.sc seyflag[1]NIE

Description

Module title: Science Processes and the Scientific Method Module Code: D2DE06 Level: Diploma in Primary Teacher Education Prerequisites: Teachers holding: 1. D1 Certificates or 2. Trained Teacher Certificate and more than ten years of teaching experience.

Course Relationship:

This module is one of a series of modules in the Optional Curriculum Practice Modules developed for the Diploma in Primary Education Course for the in-service teachers holding Diploma Part 1 certificate or a Trained Teacher Certificate of at least two years of training and having more that ten years of teaching experience to be offered through Distance Education. The D2DE Course and modules are the products of the National Institute of Education in the Ministry of Education. (Is it worth repeating the same things over and over again?)

Science Processes and the Scientific Method

INTRODUCTION

This module on Science Processes and the Scientific Method is prepared as part of a programme for in-service science teachers offered through distance mode. It is anticipated that this unit will enable teachers to enhance their professional skills in developing practical work and investigations in Science.

THE STAFF

Module Writers Alex Souffe Rosianna Jules

THE STUDENTS

The module ‘Science Processes and the Scientific Method’ is developed to cater for the D2DE participants. These are in-service Primary classroom teachers holding D1 Certificates as well as those holding a Trained Teacher Certificate of at least two years of training and having more than ten years of teaching experience. They are expected to study this module through a distance mode.

Module Rationale:

Practical work is an essential feature of the science curriculum. Hence, the main emphasis of this module is on providing awareness and giving first hand experience of the science processes skills and the scientific method to participants so as to raise their confidence. This in turn, will enable them to make effective use of such experiences in the teaching/learning process in Science.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

Aims: •Help to equip teachers with new competencies so that they will be able to adopt a more reflective and team-based approach to enhanced students’ learning.

Objectives: At the end of this module the D2DE participants should be able to: •describe practical work, science process skills and the scientific method •use the newly learned approaches in their daily teaching of science lessons. •reflect on their practice in teaching practical work in science classroom

CONTENT OUTLINE

This module comprises three units as detailed below.

UNIT 1: Practical Work in Science 1.0 Introduction 1.1. What is practical work? 1.1.1 Define practical work 1.1.2 Purpose of practical work 1.1.3 What practical work is appropriate? 1.1.4 Organising practical work 1.2 Types of practical work in Science 1.2.1 Basic Skills 1.2.2 Illustrative 1.2.3 Investigative 1.2.4 A closer look at illustrative v/s investigative practical work. 1.3 Summary 1.4 Feedback 1.5 References

UNIT 2: Science Process Skills 2.0 Introduction 2.1 What are Science Process Skills 2.1.1 Types of Science Process Skills 2.2 Basic Science Skills 2.2.1 Observation 2.2.2 Inferring 2.2.3 Predicting 2.2.4 Classifying 2.3 Integrated Science Process Skills 2.3.1 Controlling variables 2.3.2 Formulating hypotheses 2.3.3 Defining operationally 2.3.4 Interpreting data 2.3.5 Designing Experiments 2.4 Summary 2.5 Feedback 2.6 References

UNIT 3: Developing Scientific Investigations 3.0 Introduction 3.1. The Scientific Method 3.1.1 Identifying a problem 3.1.2 Hypothesising 3.1.3 Planning an Experiment 3.1.4 Performing an Experiment 3.1.5 Analysing the data 3.1.6 Communicating Results 3.2 Making a fair test 3.3 Summary 3.4 Feedback 3.5 References

THE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT

Participants: •will be issued with a personal copy of the print-based material •will study this module through distance mode •are advised to go through the module in a systematic order

The task will help: •provide first hand experience •relate theory with practice •test understanding

Module study time

Time (in hours) Unit Unit title Reading of Text Study Task Check your Progress Assignment Group Discussion Tutorials Total Time 1 Practical work in Science 12 5 1 1 2 2 24 2 Science Process Skills 15 10 1 2 3 2 33 3 Developing Scientific Investigations 13 4 1 2 2 2 23

INTERACTION AND ACTIVITIES

During tutorials, participants are expected to: •bring along questions based learning material for clarification better comprehension of the text •participate in discussions, •work on special tutorial task •get help in working on assignments •discuss issues of concern related to the implementation of the course

ASSESSMENT

Assessment item Assessment Detail Weighting Item 1 Investigation Report 30 % Item 2 Examination 70 %

Assignments should be submitted according to the guidelines given in the Course Guide.

LEARNING MATERIALS

Materials you should keep Materials you could borrow Materials you must purchase Module document Hand lenses Task details

STUDENT REQUIREMENTS

There is no special requirement for this module.

LEARNER SUPPORT For this module, the participants will receive 6 hours of face-to-face tutorial. It is anticipated that 2 hours will be spent on each unit. Learners will also be encouraged to meet and have group discussion to help each other learn the module content.

Enquiry Contact

General queries about the course Course Coordinator/Tutor Problems with the module materials Respective tutor Request for accreditation (apply in writing) Course Coordinator Request for extensions (apply in writing) Course Coordinator Problems with academic content or difficulties understanding your course material Respective Tutor Borrowing books You may borrow from the NIE library for on-site use Receiving/returning assignments. To the Course Coordinator through the Head teacher

Duration

The sessions run for ten weeks in term 3 2008.